Commission approves amendment to Italian State aid scheme to compensate energy-intensive companies for indirect emission costs
The aid scheme compensates energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from carbon costs under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS).
The scheme was originally approved by the Commission in July 2021. Under the scheme, compensation is granted to eligible companies through a partial refund of the indirect emission costs incurred in the previous year, with the final payment to be made in 2031.
The amendments consist in:
- Extending the eligibility to companies active in new sectors deemed at risk of relocating as listed in the Annex to the amended ETS State Aid Guidelines.
- Increase in the maximum aid intensity from 75% to 80% of the indirect emissions costs solely for sectors already covered by the scheme.
- Increase in the total estimated budget from EUR 1.5 billion to EUR 3.6 billion, with an increase in the maximum annual budget from EUR 140 million to EUR 600 million.
The Commission assessed the amended scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular the ETS State aid Guidelines. It found that the amended scheme remains necessary and appropriate to support energy-intensive companies in coping with higher electricity prices and to avoid them relocating.
The decision will be made available under the case number SA.122463 in the State aid register.
For further information, see the Commission’s PR.